In re A.F.

Former juvenile court dependents who were placed in nonrelative guardianships may be eligible to receive public assistance until the age of 21 if they meet certain educational or vocational requirements and continue under the care of their guardian. Here, we address the options available to the court when the guardian dies and an otherwise eligible adiilt youth seeks to maintain those public assistance payments. We conclude the statutory scheme authorizes the appointment of a successor guardian.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

A.F. was declared a dependent of the juvenile court shortly after her birth in December 1993 and was removed from her parents’ custody. (Welf. & Inst. Code, § 300.) In 1996, the court appointed a nonrelative legal guardian for A.F. under section 366.26 and dismissed the dependency case, retaining jurisdiction over the guardianship under section 366.4. A.F.’s guardian received Aid to Families with Dependent Children—Foster Care (AFDC-FC) on A.F.’s behalf, administered by appellant Alameda County Social Services Agency (Agency). (§ 11400 et seq.)

A.F. turned 18 in December 2011. On her birthday, A.F., her Agency social worker and her guardian executed…